2merkato

The Ethiopian Metal and Engineering Corporation and SKY Energy International have manufactured the first solar panel in Ethiopia.

The solar panel was manufactured by the assembly line commissioned in April of last year as a joint venture between the Ethiopian Metal and Engineering Corporation and SKY Energy International.

The turnkey assembly line was fully installed in December and the first efforts to laminate, test and produce solar panel were launched by engineers at this time.

Ethiopian company SoleRebels and its founder Bethlehem Tilahun were featured in a New York Times article covering entrepreneurship in Africa. The article entitled ‘Women Entrepreneurs Drive Growth in Africa’ noted that Bethlehem is one of a ‘wave’ of African entrepreneurs in Africa who are taking advantage of the economic revitalization on the continent noted the article.

The article covers the founding of soleRebels in 2004 with a small group of artisans living in the same community and a small workshop and follows its growth to become a multi-million dollar international enterprise with its handmade and environmentally friendly shoes selling for 60 US dollars and more.

Ethiopian footwear manufacturer soleRebels has launched the first of a series of stand-alone retail stores in Kaoshinug, Taiwan, according to a company press release.

The opening of the store is an extremely exciting opportunity in a vibrant market allowing the brand to showcase it products said Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, Founder and Chief Executive of the company.

The opening of the store anchors the company in Asia which has a significant booming Asian retail footwear market according to the company press release. The company expects to open 30 soleRebels retail stores in Taiwan with three of these stores to be opened by the end of this year.

SoleRebels, Ethiopia won 50,000 US dollars as one of the finalists at the Africa Award for Entrepreneurship. Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, Founder and Managing Director of soleRebels accepted the award on behalf of the company at the event held in Nairobi.

“I am elated by this award. It is recognition that soleRebels is at the forefront of a new business paradigm on the continent, one where African driven businesses and brands are elevating Africa’s global competitiveness by winning in the global marketplace” said Bethlehem.

Somali Regional State of Ethiopia has inaugurated on January 5, 2016, Karemarda Sponge Factory built in Jigjiga town at a cost of 60 million Birr, Ethiopian News Agency reported.